Defending Ligue 1 champions Lille and visiting Lyon could both desperately use a win when they meet on Sunday. They’re both currently outside of the top 10 despite some excellent form in European competition.
The soccer odds imply this could be a dogfight as it is listed as a pick’em. Hosts Lille is a slight favorites at +140 to Lyon’s +185.
Game: LOSC Lille vs Olympique Lyonnais
Location: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France
Date/Time: Sunday, 7 a.m. ET
| Team | Goal Line | Moneyline | Over/Under | Team Total |
| Lille | pk (-130) | +140 | 2½ (-140o) | 1½ +115o/-145u |
| Lyon | pk (Ev) | +185 | 2½ (+110u) | 1½ +125o/-155u |
| Draw | +260 |
Lille vs Lyon Betting Preview
Head to Head
Lille has been the better pick for betting online in this fixture recently. Les Dogues defeated Lyon 3-2 on the road last season and managed a 1-1 draw at home. Lyon last defeated Lille in Ligue 1 in 2016 and has lost three of the last four meetings.
Each of the last 13 Ligue 1 meetings have been decided by a single goal or ended in a draw. Meanwhile, four of the last seven matches between the sides have ended in a deadlock.
Lille Back in Business
Defending champions Lille looked down for the count in October. They struggled mightily in Ligue 1 and took just two points from their first three Champions League matches.
Now, Les Dogues are undefeated in their last eight matches in all competitions. Lille has been one of the best soccer picks of the last month, especially in the Champions League.
Picking up three straight wins to round out the Group Stage, Lille finished first in Group G and revitalized their season. Midweek, Lille picked up a convincing 3-1 win over Wolfsburg on the road as the duo of Jonathan David and Burak Yilmaz both got on the scoresheet.
David is Ligue 1’s leading scorer and his performances have helped 11th-place Lille get back within three points of the top four. He’s also in demand in the January transfer window. Yilmaz getting on the scoresheet vs Wolfsburg was a welcome sight as Lille desperately needs secondary scoring.
The 36-year old Turkish striker has found the net in Ligue 1 just three times this season after scoring 16 goals in Lille’s title-winning season. No other Lille player has more than one Ligue 1 goal.
With two consecutive wins in Ligue 1, including an impressive road victory over Rennes, Lille will be feeling like they can continue to climb the table.
Startling Inconsistency from Lyon
Lyon was one win away from becoming the only team in the Europa League to have a perfect Group Stage, but drew 1-1 with Rangers in the closer.
Like Lille, Lyon has been very good in European competition but has struggled in Ligue 1. OL finished first in Europa League Group A but is 12th in Ligue 1, one place behind Lille.
OL were one of the most popular picks to win Ligue 1 at the beginning of the year but find themselves a whopping 20 points behind leaders PSG. OL have won just one of their last four league matches and drew 2-2 with Bordeaux last Sunday.
To make matters worse, defenders Sinaly Diomande and Jason Denayer are both out. Lyon’s attacking creativity has often gone to waste as they’ve conceded over a goal and a half per game. However, forward Moussa Dembele looks to have recovered from a two-month injury absence and he’ll give them more attacking punch.
Lille vs Lyon Prediction
Lille hasn’t lost at home for four months and I don’t think Lyon will be the team to break that streak, especially given Lyon’s record at Lille in recent years.
The defending champs have built some positive momentum and with both Yilmaz and David going, I like their chances. However, I’d err on the side of caution and take Lille as a sportsbook Pick’em.
